Milburn interim review a real wake-up call for policymakers – Chamber

A major report into youth unemployment – which warns one in six could be out of work, training or education in five years if no action is taken – should serve as a wake-up call to government, business leaders said today.

The interim review from former minister Alan Milburn said job opportunities for young people are shrinking.

It says six in 10 ‘Neets’ (not in employment, education or training) have never had a job (compared to four in 10 in 2005), while there were 1,012,000 young people classed as Neet between January and March 2026.

But 84 per cent of Neet young people surveyed want a job or training, the report adds.

However, the report recognised an “overwhelming desire” among businesses to employ young people from their local area.

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce has called for “urgent and meaningful action” to avoid a generation of young people being left behind.

Emily Stubbs (pictured), head of policy at the GBCC, said: “It is welcome to see the Milburn Review recognise the ‘overwhelming desire’ of most businesses to employ young people from their local area.

“In Birmingham and across the West Midlands, we are starting from a particularly challenging position, with local youth unemployment significantly higher than the national average, and some of the highest levels of young people not in education, employment or training anywhere in the country.

“The Milburn Review should be a real wake-up call for government. Too many young people are being locked out of opportunity, while businesses continue to struggle to find the talent they need. The longer that gap persists, the harder it becomes to close.

“We need urgent, meaningful action that goes beyond diagnosis - including stronger entry-level and Level 2 routes, better careers support, and practical help for employers to take a chance on young people.

“We are already working with stakeholders to bring businesses and providers together to align training with real jobs through Local Skills Improvement Plans, and these should be seen as a ready-made part of the solution.

“But national policy – and funding - must match that ambition, with an approach that is locally rooted, nationally joined up, and focused on preventing this generation from being left behind.”